Learn From Vern: All About Table Lamps

Finding the Right Height

Table lamps commonly range from 24 to 34 inches tall, including the shade. A good trick for choosing the right height: The bottom of the shade should be eye level when you’re seated. Jamie Young Lighting Saint Croix 20 1/2"-tall mercury-glass base with coral shade, $265, laylagrayce.com

Buying a New Shade

Measure the base at its widest point — the diameter of the shade should be about twice that. And the shade should cover the switch but let a little of the neck peek out. Wood 32 3/4"-tall lamp with hidden curio cabinet, $190, hsn.com

A Versatile Shade Shape

A drum shade is pretty no-fail. It complements almost any base, from a sleek cylinder to a curvy urn. I’m a fan of white linen, but you can’t go wrong with any neutral, like a cream-colored paper shade or a pale gray cotton one. Design by Conran Lucina 20"-tall wood lamp, $175, jcp.com

Spacing Matters

When I’m putting two lamps on one table, I like to leave at least two to three feet between them so they don’t look clumped together. It also helps distribute the light evenly throughout the room. Esta 24"-tall glass lamp, $249, crateandbarrel.com

Know Your Hardware

Shades attach to bases in different ways. Some require a harp (a spider fitting), some sit on hardware attached to the bulb’s base (an uno fitting), and others clip right onto the bulb (a clip-on fitting). If you buy a base and shade separately, make sure they both have the same fitting. Library adjustable 31"-tall lamp in antique nickel finish with D shade, $165, restorationhardware.com